CLA Alumni Speaker Series to Host Marquel Ramirez

As part of the College of Liberal Arts’ (CLA) Alumni Speaker Series, Cal Poly will host Marquel Sheree Ramirez on Thursday, Nov. 21, 11:10 a.m. to noon in the Warren J. Baker Center for Science and Mathematics, room 114. Ramirez will discuss her professional journey since graduating in 2007 with a Bachelor of Arts in modern languages and literatures.

Initially studying kinesiology, Ramirez eventually switched to the MLL major, citing her growing passion for learning different languages. She notes that her study of language and the issues affecting the cultures that speak those languages inspired her to pursue the career path she is currently on. “The College of Liberal Arts introduced me to issues I wasn’t aware of before,” said Ramirez. “Because I never really thought politics at all. MLL talked a lot about educational and immigration issues and I thought, ‘I really like this.’”

As a volunteer with AmeriCorps State in 2009, Ramirez helped develop strategies for environmental awareness by working as an education assistant for Strategic Energy Innovations in Novato, as well as a recycling facilitator for Conservation Corps North Bay in San Rafael. Projects for the two positions consisted of introducing young children to waste and energy conservation. Ramirez’s time with the Peace Corps was focused on helping women in third-world countries receive an education. From March 2011 through April of this year, Ramirez was the national coordinator for the Peace Corps Senegal Gender and Development Committee, which oversaw communications, grants, discussions and training sessions.

She is currently the program associate for Advocates for Justice and Education, Inc. in Washington, D.C. She plans to pursue a law degree, with a focus on public interest and immigration reform.